ENG4416 – Time and Money in the American Novel

Course description

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

Time and money are two of the main forces that shape human ends. Our conception of time has a profound impact on how we understand ourselves, and on how we draw the boundary between the possible and the unreasonable. In a similar fashion, our collective understanding of money exerts a sharp influence on how we order our personal and communal lives.

This course will examine these two forces through the lens of literature. It will use the reading and analysis of a select group of American novels as a way of interrogating the links between time, money, and literature.

In this course, we will examine the ways in which novels work to naturalize or challenge social conceptions of time and money. More importantly, we will consider all the ways in which the reading of novels helps us reflect on the nature of time and money, and we will think about the way these reflections are connected to issues of race, sexuality, subjectivity, and community.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you:

will have an understanding of the 20th century American novel, particularly in its modernist and postmodern forms,

will have a working knowledge of textual analysis and its importance,

will understand the close relationship between literary form and social form,

will be familiar with post-structuralist and Marxist approaches to literary criticism.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for ten weeks, 20 hours in all.

Attendance is obligatory at least 8 out of 10 seminars. Additional absences must be justified by documentation given to the exam coordinator.

You must also submit a paper of 5 pages which must be approved by the teacher in order to qualify for the exam.

All obligatory attendance and assignments are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The assessment of the course is based on a term paper of approximately ten pages (4000 words). This does not include references and bibliography.

The topic for the term paper will be decided by the teacher and the student together. You will be given an opportunity to submit a draft of the term paper and receive individual feedback on both the form and content of the draft.